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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Throughout my life there have been many times when I’ve heard someone (including myself) say, “That reminds me of a song.” The person would then burst into a sorry rendition of some song that vaguely had something to do with our conversation. I had one of those ‘song’ moments today, but I’ll say more about that at the end of this post.

After checking the weather forecast this morning, I decided today might be better to do my weekly waterbird count than tomorrow. So I packed a lunch and headed for the refuge. It was a warm, muggy, cloudy, foggy day, but it may rain tomorrow. Make hay while the sun shines didn’t really apply, but count the birds when you can see them did.

Seeing six dowitchers and a least sandpiper was just the tip of the iceberg as I approached my favorite count area.

The Alice Jackson White 1B (AJW-1B) site is my favorite of the seven specific sites I count. I can always bank on a lot of birds here. Each of the sites is basically a semi-circle with a 300 yard radius. This will give you an idea of just a portion of this site. See those three white dots on the top right? They are snowy egrets and sitting on the edge of my count area. I don’t count anything beyond them.

Throughout the winter, I would find thousands of ducks and geese at this site, but most of them have migrated on north. It’s now the season for shorebirds moving in to rest and feed before they too move on. I’m guessing that this pic covers just about a width of only 10 of those 300 yards. It’s jam packed with dowitchers. I had over 2000 of them here this morning, and after looking at this pic close up on my computer, I found one ruddy turnstone mixed in. I missed that while I was counting. I hope I don’t get a cut in pay…

Just as I was about to move on to the next site, a pair of marbled godwits flew in. I was thrilled to see the beautiful cinnamon color of their under wings as they arrived. They’re the first ones I’ve seen this year. If you’re not a birder, than I’m sure you couldn’t care less. I understand. That’s how I feel about race cars, guns, antique cars and such.

After finishing five of the sites, I headed for Frozen Point to enjoy my lunch along east Galveston Bay. I stopped at the same place where the cow got loose about two weeks ago. There were no wandering cows today, but something else happened.

One of the ranchers pulled in across the road to unload some cows into the marsh.

There were only five of them. I thought that was a little odd, since they generally move the herds around in a large cattle drive. They move them often so no one area of the marsh is overgrazed. Didn’t think much more about it until I got home and looked at my photos.

Holy cajones!! Duh!! The ‘boys’ were being dropped off to service the ladies! (see the ladies in the background?) Hey, I grew up in Chicago. I don’t know much about animal husbandry. But now I get it.

That’s when the song popped into my head… ♫ ♪ “There’ll be a Hot Time on the Old ‘Marsh’ Tonight!” ♪♫

Soooo..... they dropped off the bulls to "service" the cows? No viagra needed I assume....... damn... I'd like to see the next set of photos of this scenerio..... okay, so I'm a pervert.... what can I say? Hey... you're supposed to be the bird lady, what the heck are you doing showing us this kind of life?

I'm not a birder but I love birds and hearing about them. The godwits are good looking birds, but where in the world did they get that name?

When I lived in Ireland I had cows, bulls and steers on the other side of the fence. I spent a whole day at the window watching the bull wooing a cow who wasn't quite ready. He was very sweet and tender with her and I was surprised to see it.

I was a young lad of perhaps 6-9 when my mother and I led our milk cow about 1/4 mile up the road to a neighbors bull to be 'serviced'. Never forgot what I saw and to this day when I hear someone talk about 'government service' I wonder who is getting screwed.

Good story, Judy. Although the part about foggy, muggy, and coming rain made me actually glad I wasn't there to see it in person. Me and fog aren't the best of friends, whether it be in coastal Texas or coastal Oregon.

Did my comment disappear or are you screening now? Having trouble with my internet so I'm not sure. Anyway.........I do that burst into song thing all the time. I know the words to too many songs. Carrie and I do it when we are together and compete for points. Love yours! You win!!